Pop star Justin Bieber's bodyguards have been banned from leaving Argentina over an alleged assault, it emerged last night.

A lawyer for a photographer allegedly attacked by the singer's heavies said state prosecutors had stopped them from flying to Chile later today after a criminal complaint was filed.

Trouble flared as Justin, 19, tried to leave Ink nightclub in Buenos Aires on Saturday morning after a night of partying following his first performance in the south American country.

Alleged victim Diego Pesoa, who called in police before going to hospital, said: "I was waiting for Justin Bieber to leave so I could take a picture of him when a bodyguard tried to take my camera off me. "He began to run after me and half a block away he punched me in the head before kicking me in the stomach as I was laying on the ground. "When I tried to get away, I realised that instead of just one there were seven or eight bodyguards behind me.

(Image: Splash)

"I've got cuts all the way up my arm and bruises on my stomach and my head hurts."

Lawyer Matias Morla, confirming the ban on Bieber's bodyguards leaving the country, added: "We're happy because we managed to identify the attackers in record time. "They are banned from leaving Argentina and first thing tomorrow I will be going to the state prosecutors' office to see what the situation is."

Bieber, who is touring south America, had to move to a gated community north of Buenos Aires after after being asked to leave his hotel in the city. Bosses at Faena Hotel received dozens of complaints from guests and locals after his fans kept them up screaming for him and tore down a wooden barricade to try to get a glimpse of the singer.

In Brazil Bieber was seen spraying graffiti on a building in Rio and could be arrested next time he tries to enter the country, a police spokesman said.

He was also videotaped asleep by a woman claiming to be a prostitute who says she slept with him.